It’s no secret that Windows 11 has a bloatware problem. I began to notice it when we transitioned from Windows 7 to the world of Windows 8, which had an app store to download apps. Soon, the preloaded apps started making their way into the operating system, and it became more evident with Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft began cluttering the lean operating system into a concoction of preloaded apps, suggestions in random places (you can call them ads), and more bothersome stuff.

It pushed users like me to find tools, apps, and scripts that could purge the clutter in one go or as selectively as I desire. There are ample debloating tools available, some of which are terrifying to use. Windows Toolbox was one such tool that lured users into installing the Google Play Store on Windows 11 and other features like debloating, while secretly installing malware. So, using a PowerShell script makes much more sense than installing questionable freemium tools and inviting trouble.

Why should you use a script to debloat Windows 11?

Don’t waste storage on apps you would never use

Windows 11 included a slew of preloaded junk that doesn’t have an uninstallation option. Some of them try to hide in plain sight, and diving into advanced settings doesn’t offer any removal option. They consume useful storage space and often run in the background, hurting performance or annoying with notifications and popups. It ruins the overall experience of Windows and makes it slow and cumbersome to use.

If you are a slightly older user, you must have used PowerShell occasionally to reset network configuration, modify systems, or repair Windows with DISM. Similarly, you can use PowerShell to remove packages that don’t serve any purpose on your machine. There are a lot of them, and remembering commands and the names of every one of them is a pain. Instead, you can use a GitHub script to purge everything in one go with basic terminal interaction.

Win11Debloat is one tool that can solve your bloatware, tracking, Copilot AI, and other clutter in one go. Rather than running each command or hunting the settings app to find a feature you want to disable, you can use the PowerShell script to solve your problem. Windows 11 updates tend to bring everything back, so having a one-click or, rather, a few-step tool to re-purge everything is helpful.

Debloating Windows 11

Remove what you like

Win11Debloat is a PowerShell script that can fix most of the Microsoft-induced problems on your Windows 11 PC. The easiest way to run it is to download the script from GitHub. You can run it normally, but Windows will prevent it from doing so.

Instead, you will have to temporarily force the operating system to allow running the script by enabling the Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope Process -Force policy. Once you run this command in the elevated PowerShell window, the tool can work without any problem.

Navigate to the directory where you have downloaded the script and then run it using the .\scriptfilename.ps1 command. I renamed it to deb for simplicity. It’ll download all the necessary elements for the script to work, and then you’ll see a terminal interface with three options.

While default sounds like the best option, I'd advise against it. Rather, pick the custom mode option so you can define and control the changes you want to make. If you simply need app removal, you can select the third option. If you want to know all the details, type 0 and press Enter to view all the things that the script removes or changes.

Then, type 2 and press Enter. Be prepared, as this is a long one where you'll need to configure every option. Select the fourth option on the next terminal input prompt to have complete control over the selection.

I didn't apply any excessive removal methods and simply sorted the list with apps installed on my system. I removed only the suggested ones, but didn't touch essential apps like Paint, Snipping Tool, and a few more. It'll show you the number of apps that the script will remove and ask you a series of questions later on. I chose to turn off telemetry and tracking, the unnecessary start menu and suggestions in the operating system, Copilot and other AI elements, Bing web search, Cortana, and a few more options.

I didn't remove Edge during this session as it's too intertwined with the operating system, but it's removable. It can also replace the new context menu with the old one that most users love, and make changes to File Explorer and a few more system settings. You can also choose to disable Fast Startup because it is a feature that's earned a reputation for bringing more problems to the operating system.

After selecting everything, you must press Enter once to execute the script and apply all the changes. It doesn't prompt you to restart the changes and applies them right away. It also creates a system restore point, but I already suggested you create one beforehand to be prepared at all times.

Enjoy a lean Windows 11 experience

Running the script forces Windows 11 to shed a lot of dead weight it's been pulling for no reason. Removing Copilot makes me happy, as it's a feature Microsoft has started injecting into every nook and cranny of the operating system. Turning off peaky telemetry and ads, Bing search, and all result in a more usable system that serves only the tools I need.

You can go with the default option that takes control of its hand and turns off a few more things I described above. I prefer keeping animation effects and many other settings, which is why I picked the custom option. Win11Debloat is an under-appreciated script that deserves the attention of every Windows 11 user suffering from Microsoft’s bloated version of a flagship operating system.